External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar held a key meeting with Anwar Gargash, Diplomatic Advisor to the President of the UAE, during his official visit to the Emirates. Sharing the update on X, Jaishankar said, “Nice to meet Anwar Gargash, Diplomatic Advisor to the President, UAE this morning. Discussed our special partnership and its further progress.”
Jaishankar’s visit, scheduled from January 27 to 29, aims to bolster strategic ties and advance cooperation between India and the UAE.
The India-UAE partnership, formalized in 1972, has grown into a dynamic relationship marked by political, economic, and cultural cooperation. Diplomatic ties deepened significantly after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s landmark visit in 2015, the first by an Indian premier in over three decades. That visit set the stage for a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which continues to shape bilateral engagements.
In recent years, high-level exchanges have reinforced the relationship. UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (MBZ) also actively engaged with India, attending the G20 Summit in New Delhi in September 2023 and the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit in January 2024 as the Chief Guest.
Ministerial visits have complemented these engagements. EAM Jaishankar has visited the UAE on multiple occasions, underscoring the growing strategic alignment between the two nations. Meanwhile, UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed has reciprocated with visits aimed at expanding cooperation across sectors.
The Indian community remains a vital bridge in this flourishing partnership. With around 3.5 million Indians residing in the UAE, they form the largest expatriate group, constituting 35% of the country’s population. Their significant contributions across various sectors continue to strengthen cultural and economic ties between the two nations.
